Skill Templates

Ready-to-use templates for different types of Microsoft technologies.

CLI Alternative for MCP Tools

All templates below use MCP tool calls (e.g., microsoft_docs_search, microsoft_docs_fetch, microsoft_code_sample_search). If the Learn MCP server is not available, replace them with CLI equivalents:

Run directly with npx @microsoft/learn-cli <command> or install globally with npm install -g @microsoft/learn-cli.

Template 1: SDK/Library Skill

For client libraries, SDKs, and programming frameworks.

---
name: {sdk-name}
description: {What it does}. Use when agents need to {primary task} with {technology context}. Supports {languages/platforms}.
---

# {SDK Name}

{One paragraph: what it is, why it exists, when to use it}

## Installation

{Package manager commands for supported languages}

## Key Concepts

{3-5 essential concepts, one paragraph each max}

### {Concept 1}
{Brief explanation}

### {Concept 2}
{Brief explanation}

## Quick Start

{Minimal working example - inline if <30 lines, otherwise reference sample_codes/}

## Common Patterns

### {Pattern 1: e.g., "Basic CRUD"}
```{language}
{code}

{Pattern 2: e.g., "Error Handling"}

{code}

API Quick Reference

For full API documentation:

• microsoft_docs_search(query="{sdk} {class} API reference")
• microsoft_docs_fetch(url="{url}")

Best Practices

• Do: {recommendation}
• Do: {recommendation}
• Avoid: {anti-pattern}

See best-practices.md for detailed guidance.

Learn More

---

## Template 2: Azure Service Skill

For Azure services and cloud resources.

```markdown
---
name: {service-name}
description: Work with {Azure Service}. Use when agents need to {primary capabilities}. Covers provisioning, configuration, and SDK usage.
---

# {Azure Service Name}

{One paragraph: what the service does, primary use cases}

## Overview

- **Category**: {Compute/Storage/AI/Networking/etc.}
- **Key capability**: {main value proposition}
- **When to use**: {scenarios}

## Getting Started

### Prerequisites
- Azure subscription
- {Other requirements}

### Provisioning
{CLI/Portal/Bicep snippet for creating the resource}

## SDK Usage ({Language})

### Installation

{package install command}

### Authentication
```{language}
{auth code pattern}

Basic Operations

{CRUD or primary operations}

Key Configurations

Pricing & Limits

• Pricing model: {consumption/tier-based/etc.}
• Key limits: {important quotas}

For current pricing: microsoft_docs_search(query="{service} pricing")

Common Patterns

{Pattern 1}

{Code or configuration}

{Pattern 2}

{Code or configuration}

Troubleshooting

For more issues: microsoft_docs_search(query="{service} troubleshoot {symptom}")

Learn More

---

## Template 3: Framework/Platform Skill

For development frameworks and platforms (e.g., ASP.NET, MAUI, Blazor).

```markdown
---
name: {framework-name}
description: Build {type of apps} with {Framework}. Use when agents need to create, modify, or debug {framework} applications.
---

# {Framework Name}

{One paragraph: what it is, what you build with it, why choose it}

## Project Structure

{typical-project}/ ├── {folder}/ # {purpose} ├── {file} # {purpose} └── {file} # {purpose}

## Getting Started

### Create New Project
```bash
{CLI command to scaffold}

Project Configuration

{Key files to configure and what they control}

Core Concepts

{Concept 1: e.g., "Components"}

{Explanation with minimal code example}

{Concept 2: e.g., "Routing"}

{Explanation with minimal code example}

{Concept 3: e.g., "State Management"}

{Explanation with minimal code example}

Common Patterns

{Pattern 1}

{code}

{Pattern 2}

{code}

Configuration Options

Deployment

{Brief deployment guidance or reference}

For detailed deployment: microsoft_docs_search(query="{framework} deploy {target}")

Learn More

---

## Template 4: API/Protocol Skill

For APIs, protocols, and specifications (e.g., Microsoft Graph, OOXML).

```markdown
---
name: {api-name}
description: Interact with {API/Protocol}. Use when agents need to {primary operations}. Covers authentication, endpoints, and common operations.
---

# {API/Protocol Name}

{One paragraph: what it provides access to, primary use cases}

## Authentication

{Auth method and code pattern}

## Base Configuration

- **Base URL**: `{url}`
- **Version**: `{version}`
- **Format**: {JSON/XML/etc.}

## Common Endpoints/Operations

### {Operation 1: e.g., "List Items"}

{HTTP method} {endpoint}

```{language}
{SDK code}

{Operation 2: e.g., "Create Item"}

{HTTP method} {endpoint}

{SDK code}

Request/Response Patterns

Pagination

{How to handle pagination}

Error Handling

{Error format and common codes}

Quick Reference

Permissions/Scopes

Learn More

---

## Choosing a Template

| Technology Type | Template | Examples |
|-----------------|----------|----------|
| Client library, NuGet/npm package | SDK/Library | Semantic Kernel, Azure SDK, MSAL |
| Azure resource | Azure Service | Cosmos DB, Azure Functions, App Service |
| App development framework | Framework/Platform | ASP.NET Core, Blazor, MAUI |
| REST API, protocol, specification | API/Protocol | Microsoft Graph, OOXML, FHIR |

## Customization Guidelines

Templates are starting points. Customize by:

1. **Adding sections** for unique aspects of the technology
2. **Removing sections** that don't apply
3. **Adjusting depth** based on complexity (more concepts for complex tech)
4. **Adding reference files** for detailed content that doesn't fit in SKILL.md
5. **Adding sample_codes/** for working examples beyond inline snippets